Revision as of 19:42, 24 August 2011

The Fountain of the Naiads on the Piazza della Repubblica

The Modern Center of Rome, home to the Via Veneto, Quirinale, Castro Pretorio, Repubblica, and Trevi neighborhoods, is the city's hub of activity, especially shopping and nightlife. It's also home to a huge assortment of hotels, and it's likely that you'll be staying here, despite the fact that most of Rome's historic attractions are elsewhere.

Contents

Get in

The Modern Center of Rome is not hard to find as the Termini Station brings you into the west edge of it. As you leave the station, the Castro Pretorio neighborhood is to your right, with many smaller hotels. To the left the main roads of Via Cavour and Via Nazionale lead down the hill. Larger hotels here, catering more for groups than independent travellers.

Termini Station is a major bus hub with buses to all parts of town. Beware taxi drivers who operate at the station as it seems to attract the most crooked ones. Get a cab from the rank and ignore the drivers who solicit your custom outside tha station. Always insist that you see the meter is turned on after you get into the cab. No matter what time of day or night the starting price should never be more than €6 (during the day less) and a figure 1 on the meter should indicate that the correct rate is being applied. A legitimate extra fee of €2 is levied for all rides beginning at the station.

See

Trevi Fountain

The incomparable Trevi Fountain

Completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi, this spectacular Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons: one Triton labours to control a violent sea-horse, the other controls a pacified creature, both symbolising the dual nature of the world's oceans. The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, completed in 19 BCE in order to supply the Baths of Agrippa, and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (tre vie). The fountain appeared in an unforgettable scene of Fellini's film Dolce Vita. The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome. The coins in the fountain are regularly collected to finance charities. The fountain has been made even more famous as the target for the Three Coins in the Fountain, soaking the actress Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. According to popular superstition and custom, throwing coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain is a practice endowed with good luck. Throwing one coin ensures that the thrower will return to Rome; throwing two coins will ensure that the thrower will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome boy); throwing three coins, finally, ensures that the thrower will marry that girl or boy in Rome itself.

Other attractions

Via Veneto (strictly speaking, Via Vittorio Veneto) was immortalized in 1960 by the Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita. It is also the location of the US Embassy, in the massive Palazzo Margherita. Via Veneto went into a period of decline in the ‘80s but has returned to popularity and the roadside cafes are the place to be seen if you are into that sort of thing.

Aurelian walls (Mura aureliane), (so close you can almost touch it). Remains of city walls built between 271 and 275 enclosing all seven hills of Rome, Campus Martius and the Trastevere district.

The Capuchin Curch: designs made of skulls

Capuchin Monastery, Via Veneto (right by Piazza Barberini). Built in 1645, the crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of thousands of dead monks. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.

Le Quattro Fontane, Intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale, [1]. Four fountains from the time of Pope Sixtus V when much of Rome was redeveloped. A reclining deity is the theme of each sculpture. This is a busy intersection and if you don't look twice you may miss these exquisite examples of Roman mythology.

Palazzo Massimo, ☎06 39967700. Mo-Sa 9AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM. A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the dining room from the Empress Livia's villa at Prima Porta. Located across the piazza from Termini, opposite the Baths of Diocletian.€ 7,00.

Rome's National Museum at the Baths of Diocletian, Via Enrico de Nicola 79 (Facing the Termini Station. Next to Santa Maria degli Angeli.), [2]. On the site of the Roman baths this museum houses an enormous collection of statues, etc.7 euros gives admission to all four of Rome's National Museums, including Palazzo Massimo (above).

Palazzo Barberini (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica), Via Quattro Fontane 13, ☎+39 06 482 4184, [3]. Tu-Su 9-19.30. This remarkable building, designed partly by Bernini, houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art, including some famous paintings by Lippo Lippi, Caravaggio as well as Raphaels famous La Fornarina. € 5,00, several discounts available. Free entrance for people under 18 and over 65..

Quirinal Palace (Palazzo del Quirinale), Via del Quirinale (atop the Quirinale, highest of the famous Roman hills), ☎+39 06 8530 1758, [4]. 8:30a-12:30p Su. Home of the President of the Italian Republic, and the Quirinal Gardens. Built in 1573 as a papal summer residence, and has since also served as the residence for the pope and later for the king of Italy. The public are occasionally allowed in to view the gardens, but be prepared for a long queue.

Santa Maria degli Angeli, Via Cernaia 9 (Piazza della Repubblica), ☎+39 06 48 80 812. This church was built inside the former baths of Diocletian. Very light and airy inside. Note the unusual art on the outside doors. Around solar noon check out the sun's image on Francesco Bianchini's meridian line inside.

Santa Maria della Vittoria, (bottom of Via XX Settembre, close to Piazza della Repubblica). Now unfortunately invaded by readers of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" this is an interesting Baroque church containing Bernini's "Ecstasy of St. Teresa". Either side of this chapel are characters in what can best be described as theatre boxes. These are members of the Cornaro family, who paid for Bernini's sculpture.

St Paul's Within the Walls, (Just down Via Nazionale from Piazza della Repubblica, on the corner with Via Napoli.), [5]. More modern than most Roman churches: it was not started until 1873. This is Rome’s Episcopalian church. Some very interesting artwork, particularly the mosaics by Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelite school.

British Embassy. Via XX Settembre 80. At the northern end of Via XX Settembre next to the Michaelangelo-designed Porta Pia. The previous embassy had been destroyed by a terrorist bomb in 1946 and was eventually replaced by this world-renowned modern design by Sir Basil Spence. It was built on stilts so as not to interrupt the view of the garden.

Do

The front facade of the Palazzo Barberini, grandiose residence of Pope Urban VIII

Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Via Nazionale 194 (Imposing exhibition center half-way down Via Nazionale.), [6]. Rotating exhibitions, usually three at one time. Exhibition descriptions normally provided in both Italian and English. Avoid Sunday morning, when the Romans go, as queues to get in can be long.€12.50; reductions €10. You can purchase a discounted, combined ticket for the Palazzo and the Scuderie..

Scuderie del Quirinale, Via XXIV Maggio 16, (on the corner of the Piazza del Quirinale), [7]. From 10.00 to 22.00. Former stables of the Quirinal Palace, now an exhibition centre that usually hosts some excellent art shows.€10: reductions €7.50.

Buy

For a little bit shopping, the Via Nazionale is perfect: souvenirs, clothes, Italian shoes, etc. But the main attraction is without a doubt, the Via Veneto.

Eat

Aqui, Ristorante Pizzeria, Via Principe Amedeo 49-5 (Near Via Cavour and Termini station, close to the corner of Via Amedeo and Via Daniele Manin, next to Hotel California). A street side restaurant with excellent food, attentive service and warm atmosphere. Eat outside or inside, depending on the weather. Try the fish fillet baked in potato which should please anyone who likes fish - it is excellent. Their marketing says they are a pub, perhaps to pull in tourists hankering after home but this is an Italian restaurant. The waiters hustle passers by into becoming satisfied diners. The white table cloths, linen and cutlery are presentable. The menu is varied and does not stress Pizza, though they do have it. There are a variety of meat and fish dishes and pasta. The house wine is modest but good value. There seems to be no wine list.Euro 25-35 for dinner including wine and bottled water.

Est! Est! Est !!!, Via Genova, 32 (Metro A Republica (Via Nazionale/Piazza della Repubblica)), ☎06 48 81 107, [8]. Open Tu-Su 7PM-midnight, closed on Mon. The chefs here make a relatively small but amazingly good pizza. The calzone, one of their specialities, is excellent too. The staff speak English, and this is one of the few places where there are both plenty of tourists and very good food. Reservation is advisable. To cause confusion, there is another EST,EST,EST pizzeria in the same neighborhood.

Il Gelato di San Crispino, via della Panetteria 42 (just up the hill from the Trevi fountain and turn left), [11]. Considered one of the best ice creams in Rome. Check out the meringue ice creams and the fruit sorbets according to the season.

Drink

Dagnino Tea Room, Galleria, Esedra Via V. Emanuele Orlando 75, ☎064818660. If you haven't tried a "Cannolo" or a "Cassatina" then get one here, they are simply great. Don't sit at the tables (it's pretty expensive) just take them away. Good pastries too.

Harrys Bar. You can't visit Via Veneto and not go to Harrys Bar, immortalized in Fellinis' La Dolce Vita Harrys' is now a swanky upmarket {read expensive} bar/eatery where celebs can still be spotted. A piano bar, it has a regular {as of May 2007} duet performing nightly from 9PM. Sometimes guest artistes will avail themselves of the piano and entertain the patrons. Most recently Australian Pianist Fiona Cohn played there.

Hotel Cortorillo Rome, Via Principe Amedeo 79/a, ☎+39 06 4466934, [16]. Two star hotel with 14 bedrooms divided in single, double and triple, and a single family room with four beds.Single and double rooms available starting from €40-€50 with breakfast included..

Hotel Malu Rome[17] – Via Principe Amedeo, 85/a. Telephone +39 06 96031250. Fax +39 06 4466905. Comfortable one star hotel of Rome with three double for single use and nine twin and double rooms. All with private bath. The price for a dus goes for €50-120, for a double/twin €60-150.

Hotel Rubino Rome, Via Milazzo 3, ☎(+39) 06 4452323 (fax: (+39) 06 445425), [20]. Cheap and cheerful low budget hotel right in the centre of Rome near the train station and public transport, caters mainly to young people. Clean and secure.Singles from €50.

M&J Place Hostel Roma, Via Solferino 9, ☎(+39) 064462802 (info@mejplacehostel.com), [21]. Within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff and reasonable dorms, this popular hostel has a paltry free breakfast but no lockout or curfew. Dorms from €22..

Hotel Sonya, Via del Viminale, 58, ☎+39.06.4819911 (fax: +39.06.4885678), [22]. The Hotel Sonya is a pretty three star hotel in the centre of Rome, situated a few minutes away from Rome Termini Station and in front of the Opera House.Singles from 70€, doubles from 90€.

Mid range

Alex Inn, Via Emilia 47, ☎+39 06 97273360 (fax: +39 06 97273150), [24]. Small guest house in the centre of Rome near the classy Via Veneto street. Relatively new and pretty good facilities, and a small terrace off each guestroomDoubles from €110 including breakfast..

Hotel Atlantico, Via Cavour, 23, ☎+39 06.485951 (atlantico@bettojahotels.it, fax: +39 06.4827492), [28]. a four-star hotel in a 1912 building on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino, giving it good views of the city. From €145.

Hotel Cortina Rome – Via Nazionale 18 - Cap: 00184, Rome, Italy. [29]. Telephone +39 06 4819794 • Fax +39 064819220. The Cortina is a three star hotel of the central street of Via Nazionale with 14 bedrooms divided in single, double, twin, triple and quadruple with private bath (shower included). Also available two apartments located 20 metres away from the hotel. 95 euros for a single and 115 for a double.

Hotel I Giardini del Quirinale, Via Firenze 43, ☎+39 06 48930388 (fax: +39 06 48989945), [30]. Upscale B&B situated very close to the central road of Via Nazionale and the Presidential Palace of Quirinale. All the bedrooms offer internet connection, mini bar, air conditioning, telephone with direct line and LCD television. Also available private parking and continental breakfast.From €165 including breakfast.

Hotel Romanico Palace, Via Boncompagni, 37, ☎+39 06.42083881 (info@hotelromanico.com, fax: +39 06.42815558), [31]. A four stars hotel with 64 rooms divided between six floors, on the 7th floor there is a nice 360 degrees panoramic terrace with good views of historical center.From €180 all exclusive.

La Piccola Maison, Via dei Cappuccini 30, ☎(+39) 06 42016331, [32]. Chic Guest House located in via Veneto in the heart of La Dolce Vita. Rooms with international channels, air conditioning, wifi, minifridge and telephone.Doubles from €80 with free wifi..

Residence At Rome, Piazza Barberini 2, ☎+39 06 46661058, [34]. A guest house on the third floor in a residential building on Piazza Barberini, so the name holds true. No elevator available, and it's a long walk up the stairs with your luggage. There are 8 rooms with en-suite services divided in double, triple and suites, but there are no common rooms or amenities. You are paying for a room and that's all, some have complained about missing air-conditioning during the day, broken bathrooms and noise from the busy square, but it's good value for the location.The average price for a double is €220 per day..

Villa Spalleti Trivelli, Via Piacenza 4, ☎+39.06.48907934 (info@villaspallettitrivelli.com, fax: +39.06.4871409), [45]. A splurge hotel in a quiet location. The rooms are large, with extra high ceilings, linens and bed of good quality, bath with shower and separate tub, bidet and two sinks. All the interiors are beautifully decorated, and the outside garden is perfect for a midday break. The staff is friendly and supportive.€363-1,067.

Contact

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